Whether renting or buying is economically better for you really comes down to specific circumstances. I can’t speak to that here, but what I would like to share is the non-economic benefits of shared living.
I lived in shared accommodation for nearly 10 years, and I cannot understate how much I developed from the experience. I know shared renting isn’t for everyone, but here are a few things I gained if it’s of interest to you.
You get good at dealing with conflict. Everyone values their own space while appreciating the importance of sharing. Sometimes the balance doesn’t quite align, and learning how to resolve situations (or prevent them from escalating) is really valuable.
Your network expands. Not only do you get to live with different people for a decent amount of time, you get to connect with their friends, family and colleagues too.
You become aware of your comfort zone. And it will expand in relation to those around you.
You need to deal with a landlord or an agent. You get to develop working relationships, which is an important skill.
You get good at dealing with change. Your roommates may move on, you may move on, or everyone may need to move at once. When renting with others, change is a constant.